Significant effects for some AU patients who are resistant to other treatments
WEDNESDAY, May 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A 308-nm excimer light is a therapeutic option for some patients with treatment-resistant alopecia universalis (AU), according to a study published online April 30 in the Journal of Dermatology.
Yukiyasu Arakawa, M.D., from the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine in Japan, and colleagues examined the use of excimer light as a therapeutic option for AU that is resistant to other treatments in 11 patients. Participants were treated for more than 16 sessions at two-week intervals.
The researchers found that four and two of the patients achieved good and poor responses, respectively. All three patients with Japanese skin type 1 achieved good responses. The dose of radiation was increased until patients exhibited marked erythema. Strong pigmentation was exhibited at the irradiated sites in the patients with Japanese skin type 3 who achieved good responses.
“In conclusion, 308-nm excimer light therapy has significant effects on some AU patients who are resistant to other treatments and may be an alternative therapeutic option for AU,” the authors write. “During the treatment of AU, high doses of radiation should be administrated until a strong inflammatory skin reaction is seen.”
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